The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1887-03-19
THE NORMAL SCHOOL.

90 not seem to be fully understood.
IL mas been stated even before the
committee on Education that the
Normal School is to become a part
oil Newark Academy by the impend-
ing bill. We are authorized to saw
That the statement is untrue The
Delaware Normal School is now
located in the Academy buildings.
and nearly all the students are pur-
suing the Normal Course. The
Academic instruction is of course
continued, but the main portion of
the students prefer and pursue the
Normal Course. The aim of the
bill is simply to make State Insti-
tuition of the school by putting it
under the supervision of the State
School Officers and graduating pro-
REASONABLY trained teachers. This is
precisely the condition of the i'm
mense Pennsylvania Normal Schools
to-day 1t is not the design to make
the Normal School a part of the
Academy. The Normal School will
be the main feature of the Newark
school in the future as it is now,
whether the bill is passed or not.
but of course every man who hasn't
an axe to grind will see at glance
that 1t can do much more effective
work Ii its graduates are given some
standing in the State, as is the case
in other States where normal schools
are now in operation.
The argument that a Normal
School is not needed, is denied by
every prominent school man in the
State. Both of the Superintendent
have said openly before the Com
mittee on Education that Normal
School is needed, and badly needed,
to improve the mass of the teachers
in the State. In addition, Superin-
tendent Carpenter, who appreciates
the offer made by the trustees of
Newark Academy, expressed him
self before the committee very posi-
lively that the State ought to Jump
at such an offer"
The argument that teachers ought
to be examined periodically is in
direct conflict with the progress Of
the age. Ifthe argument were worth
anything it would apply with equal
force to lawyers, ministers, and ply
sicians. But the argument is moi
worth considering.
Now the plain provision of the
bill is simply this, that the Delaware
Normal School now in the Newark
Academy buildings is to be made 9
State Institution, without the appro
priation ola dollar to the school. Il
is to be placed under State super
vision, and It's candidates for gradu.
alton are to be examined by tho
Superintendent and his assistant. Il
is compelled for the privilege of be
ing a State institution to maintain I
competent faculty Of instruction
give free use Gifts buildings, grounds
apparatus, libraries, and furniture
Not II dollar of appropriation is ask
ed for or expected by the school
Even should free scholarships b,
provided, the benefit is reaped by
the teachers and not by the school
and by the by, free tuition is tin
characteristic of every Norma
School system in the country 70
even in Pennsylvania, where teach
ers pay a fee, the State more than
gives it back at the time Of gradua
ton.
The people and the teachers wan
the school. There may be few in
terested parties who oppose a schoo
of this kind, but there are no inst
tutions connected with the public
school system thus opposed.
The question before the Legisla
ture is not, shall this or that privat
enterprise be favored or discrimina
ted against. 1t is question be
tween the State at large and tn
public good on one side and privat
enterprise on the other and in sucl
n question. there should be no halt
ing of opinion.
Does any other institution excep
the Academy of Newark offer t.
Weld the main portion of its private
rights without cost, that a public in
slitution may take its place. lfno
the legislature ought not to hesitate
an hour to pass the bill, for tn,
STATE does not assume Il dollar o
risk in the enterprise, and yet 'h'
receives the benefit
THE wire fence problem aroused
come little debate in the House New
Castle county men were against i
and also Kent county. Result, Sus
sex now enjoys the privilege OF usini
-. c.nco Surh matters as thi,